Book fair

 At a book fair in school madam picked up these books and was waiting for her mom to come buy her all these books.

Best part is sudha murthys book how I taught my grandmother to read. She says it was for me.

Dodamma says this picture reminds her of me  .

SRK

 Sri Ram's wedding, also known as the wedding of Lord Rama, is a significant event in the epic Ramayana. 

The wedding of Sri Ram and Sita takes place after a series of important events, starting with Rama's journey to Mithila, the kingdom of King Janaka, who is Sita's father. Rama, accompanied by his brother Lakshmana and the sage Vishwamitra, attends the grand swayamvara (a ceremony where a princess chooses her husband from among a group of suitors) organized by King Janaka.

The Swayamvara

King Janaka had set a condition for the swayamvara: any suitor who could string the divine bow of Lord Shiva, the Pinaka, would win Sita's hand in marriage. Many princes and kings attempted to lift and string the bow but failed. When it was Rama's turn, he effortlessly lifted the bow and, in a show of divine strength, broke it while trying to string it.

The Wedding Preparations

Following this extraordinary feat, King Janaka was overjoyed and declared Rama the suitable groom for his daughter Sita. He sent messengers to Ayodhya, Rama's homeland, to inform King Dasharatha, Rama's father, of the events. King Dasharatha, along with his queens and the royal entourage, traveled to Mithila to participate in the wedding festivities.

The Wedding Ceremony

The wedding was a grand affair, celebrated with great joy and splendor. The city of Mithila was decorated beautifully, and people from far and wide gathered to witness the divine union.

1. Arrival and Welcome: Upon arrival, King Dasharatha and his entourage were warmly welcomed by King Janaka. The atmosphere was filled with joy, and preparations for the wedding began in earnest.

2. Pre-Wedding Ritualsm: Various pre-wedding rituals were performed as per the customs. These included the haldi (turmeric) ceremony, where turmeric paste was applied to the bride and groom, and other traditional rituals to bless the couple.

3. The Wedding Venue: The venue was lavishly decorated with flowers, lights, and auspicious symbols. A grand mandap (wedding canopy) was set up for the main ceremony.

4. The Main Ceremony The wedding ceremony was conducted by learned priests and sages, who chanted Vedic hymns and mantras. Rama and Sita sat in front of the sacred fire, and the rituals were performed meticulously.

   - Kanyadaan: King Janaka performed the kanyadaan, the ritual of giving away his daughter Sita to ,Rama

   - Mangalsutra: Rama tied the mangalsutra (a sacred thread symbolizing marriage) around Sita's neck.

   - Seven Steps: The couple took the seven steps (Saptapadi) around the sacred fire, symbolizing their vows to support and cherish each other.

 Celebrations

After the wedding ceremony, there were grand celebrations including music, dance, and feasts. The entire city of Mithila rejoiced, and the union was blessed by the gods and celestial beings.

Return to Ayodhya

After the celebrations, Rama and Sita, along with the royal entourage, returned to Ayodhya. Their arrival was marked by further festivities and joyous receptions.

The wedding of Sri Ram and Sita is often regarded as an ideal and divine union, symbolizing the virtues of dharma (righteousness), love, and devotion. This event holds great cultural and spiritual significance in Hindu tradition and is celebrated with reverence in various forms, including plays, songs, and rituals.

Uttama purusha.

 This verse appears in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 15, Verse 17. Here's the translation and meaning:

"The Supreme Person (Purusha), however, is different. He is called the Supreme Soul (Paramatma) and is the imperishable Lord (Ishvara). He enters the three worlds and sustains them."

- Uttamah Purusha: The Supreme Person, who is beyond both the perishable (material) and the imperishable (spiritual) entities.

- TV Anyah Paramatmeti Udahrtah: This Supreme Person is known as the Supreme Soul (Paramatma).

- Yo Loka Trayam Avisya: He enters into the three worlds (the physical, the subtle, and the causal realms).

- Bibharty Avyaya Isvaraha: He sustains and governs them as the imperishable Lord (Ishvara).

In essence, this verse highlights the presence of a Supreme Being who transcends both the material and spiritual dimensions, pervading and sustaining the entire universe.

Budha bhava samanvita.

Chapter 10, Verse 8. The original verse in Sanskrit is:

अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्तः सर्वं प्रवर्तते।

इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां 

ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo

"I am the source of all creation; everything emanates from Me. Understanding this, the wise, endowed with devotional love, worship Me with all their hearts."

In this verse, Krishna declares that He is the ultimate source of all existence and the cause of all things in the universe. Knowing this truth, wise individuals (the enlightened ones) worship Him with full devotion and reverence.

Sukham uttamam.

 This verse is from the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 27.

"Prasanta manasam hy enam yoginam sukham uttamam

Upaiti santa rajasam brahma bhutam akalmasam"

"The yogi whose mind is peaceful, whose passions are subdued, and who is free from sin, attains supreme happiness, and comes to be united with Brahman (the Absolute)."

This verse emphasizes the benefits of practicing yoga and attaining a peaceful state of mind. 

- Prasanta manasam:A tranquil mind.

- Yoginam:The yogi, or practitioner of yoga.

- Sukham uttamam: Supreme happiness or bliss.

- Upaiti:Attains or reaches.

- Santa rajasam: One who has subdued the passions (rajas).

- Brahma bhutam: Having become one with Brahman, the ultimate reality or the Absolute.

-Akalmasam: Free from sin or impurities.

In essence, a yogi who has mastered their mind, subdued their desires and passions, and purified themselves from sins achieves ultimate bliss and becomes one with the supreme reality, Brahman.

Prathamo D

 Chapter 3, Verse 35 of the Bhagavad Gita states:

One of my favourite verses. 

श्रेयान् स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।

स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः॥

śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt

swa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ

It is better to perform one's own duty, though imperfectly, than to perform another's duty perfectly. Performing one's own duties, though with flaws, is preferable; for following another's path is fraught with danger.

Meaning

This verse emphasizes the importance of adhering to one's own dharma, or duty, which is determined by one's nature, abilities, and role in society. Even if one performs their own duty imperfectly, it is considered more virtuous and safer than performing someone else's duty perfectly. The idea is that following one's own path aligns with one's true nature and contributes to personal and spiritual growth, whereas following another's path can lead to confusion, lack of fulfillment, and potential peril.

Matam.

 This verse is from the Bhagavad Gita, specifically Chapter 3, Verse 31. Here is a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:

ye me matam idam nityam anutisthanti manavah

sraddhavanto nasuyanto mucyante te 'pi karmabhih

Ye me matam idam nityam anutisthanti manavah

śraddhāvanto 'nasūyanto mucyante te 'pi karmabhih

Those who, having faith and without envy, constantly follow this teaching of mine, are freed from the bondage of actions.

-ye me matam idam: those who follow this opinion/teaching of mine

- nityam anutisthanti manavah: consistently and diligently follow

- śraddhāvanto: with faith

- anasūyanto: without envy or malice

- mucyante te 'pi karmabhih: they too are freed from the bondage of actions

In this verse, Lord Krishna explains that those who faithfully and without envy follow his teachings and the prescribed duties are liberated from the bondage of actions. This means they are not affected by the consequences of their actions and attain spiritual freedom. The emphasis is on having faith and a sincere attitude without any jealousy or resentment.